For
the fourth time this year, the monthly statewide precipitation has been above
average, resulting in the third wettest January-April since 1895, according to
State Climatologist Jim Angel of the Illinois State Water Survey (http://www.sws.uiuc.edu),
a division of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

April
precipitation was 4.7 inches, 23 percent above average. Combined with wet
conditions in January, February, and March, the year-to-date total is 17.1
inches. Only 1950 and 1898 were wetter with 18.2 and 17.2 inches of
precipitation, respectively.

In recent times, only 1998 started out the year
with comparable precipitation with 14.8 inches.

This
year marked the second wettest December-April (21.2 inches) and the wettest
February-April (14.3 inches) since statewide records began in 1895.

The
significantly above-average precipitation has caused widespread flooding of rivers
and streams at times this winter and spring. Currently, wet soils and the lack
of extended periods with warm, dry conditions have been blamed for planting
delays throughout the state.

April statewide temperatures
averaged 51.4 degrees, 0.9 degrees below average. This continued a pattern of below-average
temperatures since February.

The National Weather Service
forecast indicates that cooler, wetter conditions will prevail in Illinois for the next
two weeks. Their outlook for May calls for an increased chance of above-average
precipitation and below-average temperatures.

"This forecast indicates
that we will continue to struggle with planting delays in May," says
Angel.